Book Review - Desiring the Kingdom: Worship, Worldview, and Cultural Formation

James K. A. Smith is an associate professor of philosophy and adjunct professor of congregational and ministry studies at Calvin College. In the first of his three volumes toward constructing a theology of culture, Desiring the Kingdom: Worship, Worldview, and Cultural Formation, Smith analyzes the nature of institutions and how their formative practices (liturgy) influence us to be certain kinds of people that shape our loves and in so, our conception of the good life, what we value, and the goals we seek after.[1] Given that all institutions, whether secular or sacred, inform and mold our identity as people, Smith argues we must first re-envision Christian education as a formative institute connected with the Church's mission. Only then, can we can best equip students and further shape them to practice their vocation as an expression of kingdom life in the world.[2]

While some may think that it is quite a dull thesis, the opposite is true. Smith’s words are engaging and needed, and one will walk away with a far more discerned sense for approaching the topic of culture. A significant aspect of this work is Smith’s development and framework for the working relations of the human person, their desires, loves, worship, and identity. Simply put, Smith argues that to be human is to love, and what we love defines who we are. And that our ultimate love(s) is that which orients and constitutes our identity, as well as directs our worship.[3]

It’s difficult to disagree with Smith’s articulation of these relationships between the human person, their desires and loves, and their connection with the need for proper ordering and the good life. The majority of these arguments are in fact, well-founded in Scripture and articulated Augustine's work. These sections alone are worth picking up the work, and you can decide whether or not to continue on toward his conclusions on educational institutions.

One shortcoming of Desiring the Kingdom: Worship, Worldview, and Cultural Formation is Smith’s allotment to the implications and application of his central thesis on education. While I agree much of this work was preliminary development on the notions above, there is far less work devoted to the main emphasis than one would expect. Further, while there is a concluding chapter to what Smith imagines an “ecclesial” university could be like, I would argue a good deal of his descriptions are already in place at North American Christian colleges.[4] The role of chapel (including worship) is required, along with required biblical and ministry courses. While the work is excellent in many ways, Smith lacks a degree of concreteness with his primary emphasis, which does off-set some degree of helpfulness. 

Yet overall, Smith’s Desiring the Kingdom: Worship, Worldview, and Cultural Formation is an excellent work that reinvigorates a reformed theology of culture. In terms of application, this work has wide-ranging implications due to its scope of topics. The work serves as a personal reminder to its readers to evaluate one’s own construction of the “good life”, which lies implicitly at the end of ultimate love(s). If you find yourself drawn toward discussions on Christianity and culture, just go ahead and pick up a copy now. In fact, you might as well purchase all three volumes in a set package.

[1] Smith, James K. A. Desiring the Kingdom: Worship, Worldview, and Cultural Formation. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2011. 24-27.

[2] Ibid, 34, 220-221.

[3] Ibid, 51.

[4] Ibid, 215-230